Tim Leiweke reminds me of one those old-time barkers, the guys you used to see standing in a booth with a bullhorn at the CNE, exhorting you to come over and try the ring toss because it’s the greatest thing since Heidi the cross-eyed opossum.

The MLSE president was at his barking best on Monday, informing everyone at a media conference that the Maple Leafs’ new president Brendan Shanahan will change the team’s culture and that GM Dave Nonis is still a valuable member of the braintrust, and that anyone who spins the Shanahan hiring as a negative is dead wrong.

But truth be told, it’s Leiweke doing the spinning.

With all due respect to Shanahan, this latest front-office move by the Leafs guarantees jack squat.

Remember all the hype and promise when Brian Burke was hired? Remember all the excitement, the optimism? All you really have to do now is change the names and throw in the word “truculent” a few times.